piropos
/piɾopos/from spelling rules
The Spanish phrase for pick up lines is piropos.
While piropos can refer to general compliments, in a social context it is the standard term for pick-up lines used to flirt.
What does it mean word for word?
The word piropos literally refers to compliments or flattering remarks used to express admiration.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The term is colloquial and is used to describe the act of using verbal charm or cheesy lines to attract someone.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form is el piropo, and the plural is los piropos.
How do you pronounce it?
/piɾopos/
Did you know?
- While a piropo is often lighthearted, in many Latin American countries, using unsolicited piropos toward strangers in the street is increasingly viewed as harassment rather than charming flirtation.
- In Spanish, you can 'tirar' (throw) a piropo at someone, a verb usage that treats the compliment like a physical object being tossed toward a target.
- A traditional piropo often takes the form of a short, rhyming poem rather than a simple question or a conversational opener.
Examples in context
- Hay una página web que muestra piropos pandémicos.There's a website that shows pandemic-related pick-up lines.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use piropos in a sentence regarding a website.Tatoeba #10485957 by saverius, translation #10491010 by DJ_Saidez
- Disculpe, ¿podría ofrecerme el placer de acompañarla esta noche?Excuse me, could you give me the pleasure of accompanying you tonight?
- Perdóneme, pero no puedo apartar la mirada de usted. ¿Me permite el honor de invitarla a cenar?Excuse me, but I can't take my eyes off of you. May I have the honor of inviting you to dinner?
- ¿Crees en el amor a primera vista, o vuelvo a pasar?Do you believe in love at first sight, or should I walk by again?
- Si ser sexy fuera un delito, estarías cumpliendo cadena perpetua.If being sexy was a crime, you'd be serving a life sentence.
- ¿Tienes un mapa? Porque me he perdido en tus ojos.Do you have a map? Because I'm lost in your eyes.
- No me gustan sus piropos.I don't like his pick up lines.
- ¿Qué piropos usas para ligar?What pick up lines do you use to flirt?
Example conversation
Daniel and María are talking about dating apps.
- Daniel¿Qué dices para empezar una conversación?What do you say to start a conversation?
- MaríaNo uso piropos, prefiero ser natural.I don't use pick up lines, I prefer to be natural.
- DanielYo creo que algunos piropos son divertidos.I think some pick up lines are funny.
- MaríaA veces, pero la mayoría son malos.Sometimes, but most of them are bad.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
